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Does My Water Softener Also Filter The Water In My Home?

More and more health-conscious homeowners are focusing on the importance of pure water. They are searching for ways to provide the same high-quality water from their faucets that they enjoy in more costly bottled water. In addition, they are learning that hard water can create some very expensive issues in their home’s plumbing system. So it only makes sense to look for a complete solution to deliver perfect water throughout the household. But a common misconception could be foiling their efforts.

Water Softening

When water has a high mineral content with many calcium and magnesium ions, it is considered to be hard water. Fortunately, these minerals are not harmful to humans. They simply transfer into the water as it flows through the soil and rock in the area of the water table. The problem arises when that hard water enters the water lines, fixtures, and appliances in your home. It deposits the minerals in a white chalky residue that clogs pipes, fittings, and the screens or nozzles on faucets. And with prolonged use, it can even begin to dry your skin and stain clothing.

Water softeners use a process called ion exchange to eliminate the hard water. Sodium or potassium is added to a resin bed. When the hard water passes through the resin, the “softer” ions are exchanged for the harder ones. Every few months, the water softener needs to be serviced and resupplied with sodium or potassium to continue to deliver soft water to your home.

Water Filtration

Water filtration systems do not address the hard ions in your water. Instead, they are purpose-built to remove contaminants and foreign matter like sand, rust, silt, and other particles that are hazardous to your health or create a foul odor or taste to the water. The level of filtration varies by system but can range from basic contaminants to tiny bacteria and other microbes. Some even offer the added feature of a process that will kill certain bacteria for added safety.

The critical information here is that a water softener does not filter out contaminants or particles in your water. And a filtration system does not offer the ion exchange to combat hard water. Each of these is a separate process.

But I Want Both

If you live in an area with both hard water and other contaminants, you do have options. But it is essential that you let your service provider know that you want a complete system that offers water filtration and softening. These units are a more complex combination of both filtration and softening. But they will provide you with the same healthy and great tasting water you enjoy from a bottle.

Service And Care

Each type of water softener and filtration system requires some regular care and maintenance. In most cases, homeowners are satisfied to manage the additives for the water softener, and some even replace the filters on the filtration system. However, there will be annual service and maintenance that requires the skills of a professional. This routine maintenance, much like an oil change and tune-up for your car, will ensure that everything is functioning correctly and at peak efficiency to protect your family from contaminants in your water.

Call (512) 233-6308 for a free in-home water test and price quote for water filtration and softening equipment. All of the products and installation provided by the Parobek Water Solutions experts are backed by a complete warranty and customer satisfaction guarantee. Our 

pros will discuss your needs and desires and design the combination water softener and filtration system that is perfect for your home.